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Runaway Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout at Runaway Bay on Jamaica's north coast. British architect John Dering Harris (commonly styled Commander/Major John Harris) designed the course, which opened in 1960. Historical golf material gives a back-tee length of approximately 6,870 yards with a slope of 124; forward tees were listed at 5,389 yards with a 117 slope.
The layout has traditionally been associated with the resort development at Runaway Bay and is characterised in historical descriptions by long rolling fairways and large, relatively flat greens defended by grassy mounds and sand bunkers. Its tournament history includes the Jamaica Open, Brinks Jamaica Classic, Heineken World Cup Qualifier, CNBC Nations Cup and Jamaica Golf Association qualifying events, as well as a UK-versus-West Indies Ryder Cup-style match. Operating status is presently transitional: a golf directory labels the course permanently closed, while Beaches announced plans for its forthcoming Runaway Bay resort to provide access to the existing par-72, 18-hole golf course.
The course is an 18-hole resort golf course. It plays to par 72, 6,282m (6,870 yards), slope rating 124. Designed by Commander John Harris, the course originally opened in 1960. On-site facilities include Clubhouse, Restaurant, Bar.
Runaway Bay was developed during the expansion of Jamaica's north-coast resort industry. Major John Harris designed the 18-hole course, which opened in 1960. Its long rolling fairways and broad greens were characteristic of the resort-oriented championship layouts developed in the Caribbean during this period.
Historical descriptions emphasise long, open fairways and large flat greens protected by grassy mounds and bunkers. At approximately 6,870 yards from the back tees, the course was built at substantial championship length for its era.
The course became closely associated with the Jewel Runaway Bay resort, where golf was offered as part of the resort package. That resort later closed and the golf directory GolfJamaica now marks the course permanently closed. Sandals Resorts International subsequently announced the Beaches Runaway Bay development and specifically stated that future guests would have access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its 18-hole par-72 course.
The latest available evidence points to a property in transition rather than a straightforward operating public golf course. The announced Beaches Runaway Bay project indicates an intention to retain golf as part of the destination, but a current opening date and current standalone green-fee structure could not be verified.
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